A full home renovation in Sydney typically costs between $150,000 and $600,000, with around $300,000 a common figure for a mid-range job on a family home. Where yours lands depends on how much of the house you touch, whether walls or the roofline change, and the finishes you choose. This guide breaks down current Sydney prices and where the money goes.
Full home renovation costs in Sydney at a glance
| Scope | Typical cost | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | $50,000–$150,000 | Paint, flooring, lighting, new doors and hardware, minor joinery. Kitchen and bathrooms mostly stay |
| Mid-range renovation | $150,000–$350,000 | New kitchen and bathrooms, flooring throughout, some layout changes, electrical upgrades |
| Major or structural | $350,000–$600,000+ | Walls removed or moved, new roofline or extension, full rewire and replumb, premium finishes |
Sydney prices run roughly 15% above the national average. Ranges are based on current market data (What’s The Damage, October 2026). We confirm a fixed price only after seeing your home and agreeing the scope.
Room-by-room costs
| Area | Typical builder-managed cost |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | $20,000–$70,000 |
| Bathroom | $15,000–$45,000 per bathroom |
| Single-storey extension | $2,500–$5,000 per m² |
| Second-storey addition | $250,000–$600,000 |
For detail on the two biggest rooms, see our kitchen renovation cost guide and bathroom renovation cost guide.
What drives the cost
- Structural work. Removing a load-bearing wall needs an engineer’s design and a new beam. Extensions and second storeys add footings, framing, roofing and approvals.
- Wet areas. Every kitchen, bathroom and laundry brings plumbing, waterproofing and tiling, so they cost far more per square metre than living areas.
- Services. Older Sydney homes often need rewiring, new switchboards or replacement pipework once walls are opened.
- Finishes and joinery. Custom joinery, stone and premium flooring lift the price. They also last longer.
- Access and site. Sloping blocks, narrow side access and terraces with no rear lane add labour and waste-removal costs.
Costs people forget to budget for
- Design and engineering: drawings, structural engineer and sometimes a heritage or planning consultant.
- Approvals: a Complying Development Certificate or Development Application for structural work, extensions or heritage areas.
- Asbestos: homes built before the late 1980s often contain asbestos in linings, eaves or floor coverings. It must be tested and removed safely before work starts.
- Temporary accommodation and storage if the house can’t be lived in.
- Contingency: set aside 10–20% for hidden problems found once walls and floors are opened.
How to keep a full renovation on budget
- Fix the scope before quoting. Changes mid-job cost the most.
- Keep wet areas where they are where the layout allows.
- Stage the work if the budget won’t stretch: structure and services first, finishes later.
- Choose finishes early, so they’re priced in the contract and ordered on time.
- Use one builder for the whole job. One contract and one team avoids gaps between trades.
For the step-by-step process, read our guide to planning a full home renovation.
Your protection under NSW law
In NSW, residential building work over $5,000 needs a written contract, and work over $20,000 needs a full home building contract and Home Building Compensation (HBC) insurance before any deposit is taken. Always check your builder’s licence on the NSW Government licence check.
Home renovations with Blackwood
Blackwood Carpentry & Joinery is a licensed builder (NSW Lic. 502666C) renovating homes across Sydney’s North Shore, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs and Inner West. Our own carpenters and joiners do the framing, joinery and finishing work, and we coordinate every licensed trade from start to handover.
See our home renovation service or call Fred on 0478 900 078 for a free site visit and detailed quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to renovate a whole house in Sydney?
Most full home renovations cost $150,000–$600,000. A cosmetic refresh can start around $50,000, and major structural renovations often go beyond $350,000.
What is the most expensive part of a home renovation?
Structural changes and wet areas. Kitchens and bathrooms cost far more per square metre than bedrooms or living areas.
How much should I allow for contingency?
10–20% of the build cost, more for older homes.
Is it cheaper to renovate or knock down and rebuild?
A knock-down rebuild of a 3–4 bedroom single-storey home typically costs $450,000–$1,000,000 in Sydney. If you’re changing most of the house, compare both.
Do I need council approval to renovate?
Non-structural internal work often doesn’t. Structural changes, extensions and work on heritage-listed homes or in conservation areas usually need a CDC or DA.